Israeli leaders on the death of former Czech President Havel

Peres: He was a lonely voice of freedom and a voice of unity for the suffering people of the world.Netanyahu: President Havel was a brave and strong voice against totalitarianism and an inspiration to those fighting for freedom around the world.

President Shimon Peres eulogizes the late Vaclav Havel(Communicated by the Spokesperson for the President of Israel)

"There was no other Vaclav Havel in our lives. "There was none like him. He was a lonely voice of freedom and a voice of unity for the suffering people of the world. He was many things at once: writer, philosopher king and president. He was a man of his people, also under arrest and under occupation. He was a great talent and a golden voice of our generation in support of freedom. He had deep convictions and honesty. We were listening to him. He never spoke in a very high voice but his words penetrated us and connected us. As a person, he was a very unique man, determined but pleasant, strong in his convictions but listening to other voices. In that respect, his voice will still be heard even if he himself is no longer with us."

President Peres added, "He was a good friend of Israel and myself. I was always inspired by him. He fought his own sickness; it was terrible. He fought occupation; it was difficult. I shall miss him. God bless his pure soul."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his condolences to Czech Ambassador to Israel Tomas Pojar on the passing of former Czech President Vaclav Havel:

"On behalf of the Government and people of Israel, I would like to express our condolences to the Havel family and to the Czech people on the passing of Vaclav Havel.

President Havel was a brave and strong voice against totalitarianism and an inspiration to those fighting for freedom around the world. After leading the Velvet Revolution, Havel led the peaceful establishment of the Czech Republic’s democratic government, and resumed the deep friendship between the Czech and Israeli peoples. He was a true friend of Israel and in recent years, acted along with other world leaders to defend Israel against attempts to delegitimize the only state of the Jewish people. We will all miss his courage and his faith in the justice of his path."